Instead of a best-of music or best-of movies or best-of whatever list, Im just doing a best-of-all-things 2014. (Also, they didnt necessarily have to have been new in 2014, just that I experienced them in 2014.) Heres the third! #bestthings2014 Hebrews, by Say Anything Max Bemis is maybe my favorite singular individual in music. I can’t tell if Max Bemis and “Max Bemis” are different people. I can’t tell if his megalomania is genuine or social commentary. I can’t tell if there are actually other members in Say Anything or if there ever were or if they were all just figments of Max Bemis’ mind. I can say that I love the way Bemis sings about first-world problems in a way that’s both self-aware and sympathetic at the same time. “Hebrews,” Say Anything’s 2014 release, was a return to form after a miss on previous record “Anarchy, My Dear.” It’s also the first one self-produced by Bemis. There are familiar themes about struggling with cultural identity, religion, insecurity, love, self-doubt, and more, all while bringing on an all-star roster of collaborators - including featuring Bemis’ wife as a guest on many of the songs. And I’m a sucker for gang vocals, so the outro to the first song, “John McClane,” gets me every time. Their video for “Six Six Six” is a solid encapsulation of this album. Bemis-centric - are there even any other members of the band? - it features Bemis, maybe a little heavy at 30 years old to be wearing skinny jeans, exploring family and religion and multiple iterations of his personality and… well, losing the struggle?
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 16:53:46 +0000
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